If the Supreme Court decision announced Monday involving Arizona's immigration law had been a boxing match, the result would have been a split decision in favor of the federal government and its right to deal with illegal immigration.
But politically, the 5-3 ruling (Justice Elena Kagan recused herself because she had served as solicitor general in the current administration) was a knockdown by President Barack Obama, if not a knockout blow to Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations.
Common wisdom from both parties dictates that a Republican candidate for president needs to garner 40 percent of the fast-growing Latino vote to win the White House.
Even before the ruling Monday, Romney was polling at only 25 percent, mostly because of his harsh rhetoric during the GOP primaries and vow to veto any "Dream Act" legislation that could lead to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
While Obama vehemently opposed Arizona's intrusion on federal responsibility, Romney had called the state's laws a model for the country. On Monday, the Supreme Court did the former Massachusetts governor no favors.
It struck down provisions that established state crimes for illegal immigrants not to have a registration card or to look for or hold a job and would allow the police to arrest without a warrant anyone they suspected of being undocumented.
But the Court left intact the state's onerous "show your papers provision" that allows police to check people's immigration status if they are suspected of a crime.
This has infuriated many Latino activists, who rightly assume there will be selective enforcement, and will not help Romney's campaign. It also didn't help for Romney to refuse to speak to reporters and then wait several hours Monday before finally issuing this rather tepid response.
"I believe that each state has the duty -- and the right -- to secure our borders and preserve the rule of law, particularly when the federal government has failed to meet its responsibilities," Romney said in a statement.
In contrast, Obama said in a statement: "No American should ever live under a cloud of suspicion just because of what they look like. Going forward, we must ensure that Arizona law-enforcement officials do not enforce this law in a manner that undermines the civil rights of Americans, as the Court's decision recognizes."
While the Court has spoken, albeit with mixes signals, any solution will have to come from Congress ... but don't hold your breath.
"I would guess (Congress) won't touch this with a 10-foot pole until after they come back after the election," Charles H. Kuck, managing partner at Kuck Immigration Partners, told CNN.
Ultimately then, it would seem, this case will wind up in the court of public opinion.
Opinion
Split decision on immigration law a victory for Obama
- Opinion
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In our opinion: Cheers
To Cherry Valley Fire Department, Lucy Ford and Jason's Run.
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Street Talk: June 17, 2013
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We still must sing out against prejudice
It is easy for Americans to congratulate ourselves over how far we have come since the Jim Crow days of segregation and other examples of racial and religious prejudice.
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Public campaign financing deserves a vote
Senator Jim Seward has called public financing of campaigns "Dead on arrival in the Senate." This is not true. It isn't dead, it is still knocking on the Senate door. The Republican caucus won't let it in.
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Take advantage of town pipeline suvey
I recently received a letter from the town of Davenport surveying town residents regarding the proposed Constitution Pipeline, which, if allowed, will cross about 128 properties in Davenport alone.
- Saturday, June 15, 2013
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NSA leaks provide a way to right wrongs
Revelations that the National Security Agency has been monitoring our communications in apparent violation of the Fourth Amendment is causing quite a stir, but partisans are already trying to use it for their own ends. If that happens, the republic will have lost an important opportunity to set things right.
- Friday, June 14, 2013
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Sheriff's deputies shouldn't take vehicles home
With the cost of living constantly on the rise, with our governments cutting back on services, even furloughs, increases in property taxes, income taxes, utility bills and especially the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, etc., then why is it that the Otsego County Sheriff's Department allows all their deputies to take the county police vehicles home so they can travel to and from work?
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Cooperstown parking rules hurt natives
I went for my mom's prescriptions at CVS on Cooperstown's Main Street at 10 a.m. and there wasn't a parking slot to be had. I parked in an illegal spot and ran for it. When I got Mom's medications, I politely told the checkout girl I will be transferring my business to a location with easier parking access. She said she'd heard the same words from other customers. When I returned to my car, a business owner was outside in the rain clearing his business spots of unauthorized vehicles.
- Thursday, June 13, 2013
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DOT needs to fix Chobani traffic woes
"Growing pains" have been invoked with regard to Chobani several times. The company is a dynamic example of the fact that, as positive and desirable as rapid growth may be for a business, it can carry with it unanticipated challenges.
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Cherry Valley event showed future
I would like to add my thanks to the village of Cherry Valley and the fire department for their hard work and superb organization as they played host to the bicentennial celebration of the Cherry Valley fire department. The village put on a wonderful celebration that began with a belly-busting pancake breakfast and offered entertainment throughout the day.
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Equality bill would protect women's health
I am writing in support of Gov. Cuomo's "Women's Equality Agenda," a bill that protects women's rights in 10 critical areas of continuing discrimination and inequality in New York state. Among other important reforms, the bill proposes moving the regulation of abortion out of the criminal code and into the Public Health Law, where it belongs. In doing so, New York state law would ensure that a doctor can provide the medical care a woman needs if something goes terribly wrong at any point in her pregnancy without being subject to criminal investigation.
- Wednesday, June 12, 2013
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Equality Act about more than abortion
Could it have been 50 long years ago Monday when President John F. Kennedy uttered these words?
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Our country needs plan
The national debt, deficit, and budget are out of control, and worst of all no one important seems to care or is unable to get this message to the president and public at large. Attempts to control spending so far have been ineffective and not focused on its importance.
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More guns will only mean more shootings
Just this past weekend, in Arizona, a young father was shot to death by his 4-year-old who was playing with a gun. Apparently this is how we celebrate Father's Day in the 21st century USA.
- Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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In our Opinion: Cheers
Cheers to Girls on the Run, Sherburne Pageant of Bands and Cancer Survivors' Day.
- Monday, June 10, 2013
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Severe weather deserves respect
The phrase "storm chaser" conjured up an image familiar to us from television and the Internet. Picture a wobbly video, punctuated by the excited shouts of the person behind the camera as he tries to capture a grainy image of a far-off funnel cloud.
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Pumping equipment not frack-related
This letter is in response to letters that appeared in the In Your Opinion section of The Daily Star (Chris Hammond May 28 and Paul Lilly on June 5.) These letters referenced equipment and materials on our property near Route 7 in Colliersville. Jett Industries owns and manages this property.
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C-town residents have parking options
Dennis Dorn's recent letter raises important issues about parking in Cooperstown's downtown on Main and Pioneer streets, where paid parking is in effect Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. There has been some confusion about the details of paid parking, specifically the provisions that are designed to ease the burden for locals. Those who need to run quick errands will find that all designated 15-minute spaces continue to be free. Designated handicapped spaces are also free, as is parking before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
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Street Talk: June 10, 2013
How do you feel about the government's use of surveillance of people's phone calls and Internet use?
- Saturday, June 8, 2013
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Accusations about town board not true
In response to Ms. Piciullo's letter printed May 29, the "sarcastic smirk" and "chuckles" on the face of a town board member about "The List of the Harmed" was NOT true!
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In our opinion: Cheers
